[A 46-year-old man with cardiac failure and statues epileptics]

We report a 46-year-old man with bacterial endocarditis and cardiac failure, who developed status epileptics. The patient was apparently well until July of 1991 when there was a gradual onset of fever and general fatigue. He was hospitalized to the cardiology service of our hospital where diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis and aortic insufficiency was made. On October 9, 1991, he suddenly developed cardiogenic shock, and emergency replacement of the aortic valve was made; at the operation, the main trunk of the left coronary artery showed embolic occlusion, and the myocardial movement was markedly diminished; serum creatine kinase was 3.150 IU/l. His cardiac failure did not resolve, and renal failure developed in December 1991, for which peritoneal dialysis was necessary. On February 2, 1992, he suddenly developed a clonic seizure which started from his face with a transient post-ictal left hemiparesis; a cranial CT scan was unremarkable. He was treated with phenytoin and glycerol, however, he developed status epileptics on February 3; he developed cardiac arrest after the injection of phenytoin 750 mg. He was resuscitated, however, his status did not resolve. Neurological consultation was asked on February 4. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 80/40 mmHg heart rate 77/min and regular, and body temperature 39.1 degrees C. The palpebral conjunctiva were slightly anemic, however, the bulbar conjunctiva were not icteric. No cervical adenopathy was noted. Glade II systolic murmur was heard in the apex; the lungs were clear. The abdomen was flat and soft without organomegaly. No edema was present in the legs. On neurologic examination, he was comatose without response to painful stimuli. He repeatedly had convulsion lasting for 30 seconds every 2 to 3 minutes; his convulsions started with the conjugate deviation of the eyes to the left followed by turning of the head toward left, and then clonic convulsions started in this left upper limb extending to other extremities. The optic fundi were unable to visualize because of corneal clouding; light reflex was sluggish on the right side; no oculocephalic response was elicited; corneal reflex was also lost bilaterally. Extremities were hypotonic, and no automatic movement was seen. The triceps brachii reflex was diminished, but all the other deep reflexes were lost; no plantar response was elicited. Meningeal sign was absent. He was treated with intravenous diazepam; the interval of convulsions prolonged, however, blood pressure dropped to 40 to 40 mmHg. On February 4, intravenous thiopental anesthesia was instituted, and assisted respiration was started.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)